Species

Etymology

Peperomia: From the Greek peperi (pepper) and homoios (resembling), referring to its resemblance to a true pepper (to which it is closely related)blanda: Mild

Common Name(s)

None Known

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Non Resident Native - Coloniser

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Similar Taxa

It is not closely allied to any of the other species found in New Zealand. On Raoul Island it grows with P. urvilleana from which it is easily distinguished by its larger uniformly hairy leaves

Flowering

October - July

Fruiting

October - July

Propagation Technique

Easy from rooted pieces, stem cuttings and (if available) fresh seed. Cold sensitive but an excellent pot plant fora warm, shaded site in the house

Threats

Still uncommon on Raoul Island, though recent (2004) field survey suggests it is actively increasing its range on that island. It is not yet clear what impact the 2005 eruptions may have had on this species.

Chromosome No.

2n = 66

Endemic Taxon

No

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Comments

Formerly listed as a vagrant. It is now clear that it is actively spreading and as it is apaprently no longer constrained to a particular habitat on Raoul Island it is better regarded as a Coloniser. New Zealand plants were referred to var. floribunda by Forster (1993). See also comments by Murray & de Lange (2013).